Multi-Channel Amplifiers

Essentially a multi-channel amplifier will reproduce the same audio source distributed at the same volume over multiple speakers, typically up to 12.*

This is often ideal for commercial applications such as retail units and restaurants but not always for residential audio systems where typically a much greater degree of control is required. For example, different volume levels in different rooms, turning rooms on and off remotely and/ or allowing different audio sources to be played in different rooms simultaneously.

Here’s when a multi-zone (or multi-room) amplifier comes into play.

Multi-Zone Amplifiers

For multi-zone amplification, each area (zone) requires its own independent control.

A single multi-room amplifier is typically designed to run a single zone and it can be wirelessly synchronised with multiple other amplifiers of the same kind in order to cover multiple zones.

So for instance, if you were looking to install speakers in different rooms such as kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, with the possibility of playing and controlling music for each room independently, you need to use a single zone amplifier (such as the Sonos Amp) for each room.

In doing so you will be able to connect the amps together over wifi or using an ethernet connection and control the volume of each zone individually (or multiple zones together) through an App on your phone or via the controls on the amplifier itself.

Can't I just use one multi-room amplifier to control multiple zones in my house?

We are often asked to supply a single amplifier capable of running an entire home audio system and the truth is that there is usually no single unit that is capable of doing this.

The only exception is an amplifier from Denon’s HEOS multi-room audio system called the HEOS Drive HS2. It will allow connection of four pairs of speakers and control over four independent zones. It is thus a multi-zone amplifier and will allow control of up to four independent zones.

The main reason why you are likely to need multiple single-zone amplifiers rather than a single “multi-zone” amplifier that deals with all the zones in your home is because, to cover every possible eventuality, the amplifier manufacturer would need to offer a single-zone amplifier, a two-zone amplifier, a three-zone amplifier and so on in order to have one available for every potential project.

For example, an eight-zone amplifier wouldn’t be useful if you require ten zones of amplification and someone wanting a six-zone model would not want to buy an eight-zone amplifier as they would resent paying for the additional unwanted two zones of amplification.

This approach obviously wouldn’t be efficient to the manufacturers, (with the exception of the HEOS Drive HS2, which is ideal if you require four zones only) and the structure to date has been to manufacture smaller, more versatile single-zone amplifiers.

This modular approach allows the user or installer to specify precisely the right number of amplifiers for any given project without overspending on unnecessary zones as well as allowing additional amplifiers to be added in the future.

Here are our most popular multi-room amplifiers:

These zone amplifiers are typically very compact (20cm x 20cm) and can be located either centrally to the project or more locally to the speakers they are connected to if this makes installation easier. Wall brackets are also often available, and as they are controlled over the Wi-Fi network they do not need to be on display.

We hope this is of help and clears up some of the mystery surrounding this subject, if you would like any further info or to discuss any project then please do get in touch.

*Whilst it is often the case that multiple audio sources can be connected to a single multi-channel amplifier, allowing it to then supply different audio to different zones, this is usually an unnecessarily complex solution and often not cost-effective. This often requires a greater degree of technical knowledge than is worth any cost-saving so we do not recommend this approach unless you are very technically proficient. We are happy to discuss this with you as an option though.

As always, we are more than happy to help you with any questions you have about buying an audio system and can even look over your floor plans to help specify your perfect audio solution. You can submit a contact form here, email us at sales@ceiling-speakers.co.uk or just give us a ring on 03456 803 802.